Important for People Considering RNY - 2008

[CoUrTnEyakaPiCkLe]

why did you get WLS you were not big at all

[CarolineAnnMartinCAT]

It's VERY easy going in to feel like you are going to do everything perfectly whether or not you were told all the facts. There is a HUGE difference before and after. There also is a HUGE difference between being a "new" postop patient and being 2+ years, 5+ years out, 10+ years out....

-225 lbs & maintaining -- nearing 8 years post RNY

[meep86]

Do you regret the surgery, considering the side effects now? :(

[innocent136]

do u regret your decision on having the surgery?

[gawdess559]

I hope you have gotten your pills under control because I know this must be really hard for you. Im thinking of having one, well... long story that I wont get into but I have calcium stocked up, b12 strips, and a multivitamin... 4 calciums a day 2 multis and a b 12... but this is what we were told going in.. so its wierd they didnt prepare you

[shrinkinglaura]

If you take a look at my newer updates you'll see the long term repercussions of this surgery and the vit deficiencies associated with it.

[angiesgirl4ever]

Well I must say that I haven't seen a lot of your other videos and was unaware that you were not given the correct information, which is a scary thought. I hope that you are able to get everything up to par with your health.

[shrinkinglaura]

No matter how hard you try to follow your vitamin and diet plans sometimes shitty things do happen (with your health). I believe you are one of Amelia's subscribers (massagegoddess) - take a look at some of her updates from this time last year and you will see that, even with being careful, your own health can blow up in your face. I hope to God that you are as prepared as you can be for what you're about to put your body through.

[angiesgirl4ever]

i am having gastric bypass surgery on march 3, 2010 and i have been told that i HAVE to take EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE 1 prenatal vitamin, calcium citrate, 2000IU vitamin D, Vitamin B12, iron and potassium. If you started taking the Vitamins before your surgery you probably would not have ended up with such a deficiency. You mentioned that you aren't taking everything that they want you to take, how can you expect to feel good if don't follow their instructions to a tee? just my 2 cents.

[shrinkinglaura]

I also mentioned in most of my other videos that I was self-pay in Mexico.. didn't exactly receive guidance from a nutritionist. I had to learn everything either online or through trial and error. I can't see the exact date that I uploaded this video but I'm assuming it was early in 2008. At that point I was still learning about my own condition. it's now almost 2 yrs later and despite my efforts to keep my vit levels where they should be, I'm horribly anemic which requires IV iron therapy. :(

[lostforever59]

I hope you will get better but just want to remind you that obesity, over eating and bad eating habits leads to loads of worst illnesses that start at 30 and sometimes ealier like cancer, diabetes etc... Try to remind yourself when u feel like that you avoided the worst..

Anyway get better

love

[1234searose]

I have to take a six month long class, talking about your life after RNY surgery, its required by my insurance comp. Didn't they tell you about liquid vitamins? Don't put down the RNY surgery, its more mental in your head, and I believe you need to go to support group meetings...

[soapoperanutt]

Sounds like you did not have a good support group before and now. I had surgery March, 09 131 lbs and never felt better in my life. If you had any health issues prior you might understand the benefits. I have no more joint pain, off many medications, no more sleep apnea and having to sleep on a breathing machine every night. sorry for yourself and use that energy to be positive and taking the vitamins, etc is all part of a healthy body.

[tonester08]

God almighty i bet you're a laugh down the pub!

[finneyfaery]

that's just for anyone considering surgery. it really is a way out. not EASY...but it's giving in. unless you are 500+ and can't get off your lazy butt to DO something about it. there is nothing more fulfilling than to lose weight on your own. WITH exercise (WORK) and rebooting your thought about food. i feel sorry for anyone who gets surgery. chances are you will regret it.

[shrinkinglaura]

Please no negative comments on my videos. Thanks!

[finneyfaery]

best way to go is all natural. eating right, watching portions and EXERCISING on a regular basis.. can't tell me that it doesn't work. i was edging on 300 pounds.. i am now down to 185. i think surgery is only necessary as a LAST resort. meaning you've done other things first. not TRIED, but DONE. "try leaves the option for failure. if you want to DO something, you have to DO it.." but good luck in all your endeavors. i'm sure surgery will help every problem..

[SOiTiSTrUe]

You sound like you need to continue your treatment with your psychologist. What you are saying is not complications of the surgery, it sounds like complications of your mind and depression. You should crush all the vitamins you need and put them in a shake. Seek a mental care doctor you sound like you need to talk to someone - OTHER THAN YOUTUBE

[mspeaches425]

Maybe you were eating too much. Or maybe you were eating the wrong foods. But I don't think the surgery is the reason for your unhappiness. Follow the rules and you will be fine. I have a number of relatives that has has the surgery and they are just fine no throwing up or any of the other stuff. FOLLOW THE RULES........... GET THE PILLS IN LIQUID FORM IF YOU HAVE TO BUT DON'T BLAME THE SURGERY. Have a nice day and hope you are better now.

[JONESBR5]

giving the surgery a bad wrap after you've done the procedure is redicilous. There is no way she would have not done it cause she was over weight. So go cry alone cause you knew what you was getting into before. no one want to hear that crap

[AryMcKade]

I hate to tell you, but that is normal. Your doctor should have told you that from the beginning. They told me I will be on vitamins for the rest of my life. REST OF MY LIFE. They told me that from the word go. I must take a vitamin an Iron pill and a Calcium citrate, for the rest of my life and depending on my own body any other ones. I am sorry you didn't know that before.

[xExanimate]

Why not just take an all in one supplement, here in aus we have one called Centrum.

It contains all of that O_O

[Inu4cha]

Hey I'm going for R&Y soon.. I'm already going to WLS meetings.. I have heard the stuff people after surgery what they have to go through I know its not that easy.. but I rather take all those supplements all the time then dealing with Cancer, diabetes, high Cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart attacks.. right now i have a higher risk with that... i rather go for the surgery and live longer.

[Elysium3006]

Were you not required to attend an educational seminar prior to your surgery that described to you what life could be like after the surgery? Why would you think that this was the easy way out? It absolutely isn't. Do you not realize that all your supplements and vitamins you take are things that people who don't have surgery take on a daily basis as well. You seem pretty down too. Maybe seek out some talk therapy to help you through your tough times.

[shrinkinglaura]

I don't recall saying this was "the easy way out".

Also, this was several months ago. I am fine now. :)

[suzeqzee]

My heart goes out to you. What I'm hearing from you and from a lot of younger women who had surgery is that they thought they wanted it, but weren't ready for the commitment in terms of time and energy ensuring that they are receiving the proper nutrients. Your video makes me sad, and I wish you the best...but please think of the issues you probably would have had at 35 or 45 had you not had the surgery. Your health requires maintenance - maybe you could get them in liquid form?

[blkBBW]

I'm so glad that you made this video. I'm dieting for inspiration have been watching Alot of videos about weightloss & surgery all saying positive things. It's so alluring and you just end up thinking it's the answer to all your prayers. But seeing afew video's like yours really balances it out. Actually hearing what your going through helps it to hit home that this can happen to me too. That there are long term side effects to consider, that are life long health issues to follow / deal with.

[sprypaintshoes]

Sweety i dont want to make you feel bad but i wanted to ask you if u did all your reaserch, spoke to the doctors, looked for alternatives,everythign that you are saying that has happened is all on the internet as warnings and that you still need to be on a good QUALITY diet and take vitamis ,calcion and B12 for life.... i know some surgeries are taken for granted and seen as the easy way out... that is why you needed to get as much information as you could,

[retta2587]

try optisource for post bariatric surgery patients. they're horrible tasting but the best vitamins for post ops.

[lovelyloserkb]

I have heard that Optisource vitamins are good for post bariatric patients but I can't figure out how.. maybe you can explain it to me? They have calcium carbonate in them which post op RNY patients do not absorb well.. and it also has Iron in it.. which we know iron and calcium compete for absorption.. so I'm like wtf? how do they work? lol

[retta2587]

i ignore that part of them, my surgeon told me to take calcium citrate and iron (vitron-c) separately...and of course separately from each other. there are bariatric formulas that try to combine calcium and iron but i don't believe its possible so i keep them separate. i have no clue why they put those in there, it makes no sense whatsoever LOL i'm trying Celebrate brand now cuz they're cheaper than optisource and half the dose. what a confusing world of vitamins eh? lol

[gdotritch]

TerminalTyler: What's your problem? Y do u care about her voice, her dating life, or anything else. Her videos are not here for YOU! U must not have a life bcuz u actually wasted ur time writing a message that her YOUTUBE friends will block anyway?

You suck.

[gdotritch]

where are your videos TerminalTyler? Oh wait you don't have any!

[SusieCruisie]

Choqtaw, you seem well-meaning but sadly misguided. It's like Tom Cruise criticizing women who seek medical help for post-partum depression--how could he know? All you've merely read about obesity can't compare to having lived with it, so if you pontificate about something you haven't experienced, how seriously do you expect to be taken by those who have? Especially describing us as "fatties" in one of your posts simply points out how little you know in spite of all you've read.

[Choqtaw]

The only thing it points out is the limited space allotted for these comments. Then you have the gall to presume to tell me what I've read out of a book and what I haven't experienced. Anyways, there are some who proudly wear the title, "fattie." Really, Susie, that Cruise crack was way out of left field. Its use here is without any foundation whatsoever and absurd. Ironically, it's your capricious and irresponsible statements that make you appear to be, like Mr. Cruise, from out of left field.

[Choqtaw]

Really all I've done is give some of the medical facts. You don't have a clue as to what I've experienced and seen in all of my years. Cast no aspersions on reading. It's amazing what can be learned just by cracking open a buck.

[Choqtaw]

umm ....That's cracking open a book.

[pinksweatergal]

I wish they could come up with a surgery by where the means of efficacy is not forced starvation but I am being worked up for this drastic procedure

[MyPinkRainbow]

i regret it i was happy and fat and now i am anorexic and dying literally

kinda sucks alot

[pinksweatergal]

This is a very personal and difficult decision to make and it IS a drastic means to lose weight. I agre with you Choqtaw but there are those for whom there are more dangers IF THEY DONT HAVE THIS PROCEDURE. sAL

[starwriter]

glad you look so good and seem healthy

[shawna0364]

Overall what it boils down to is overweight people need to make the best choice for them and their future. Being 400+ lbs the rest of your life is surely leading you to an early grave. I'm positive that WLS will minimize that risk..studies prove that most co-morbilities significantly decrease or are cured within sometimes just months after surgery. 60 minutes had a special on this a few weeks ago..it's probably on youtube somewhere. Atleast it gives you a shot at life is all I'm saying.

[shawna0364]

...more people tend to get WLS for health issues, most are completely cured of the following (just to name a few): sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholestryol, diabetes, high risk for heart attack the list goes on..and as far as malnutrition after WLS, this is something that is SUPPOSED to be monitored afterwards. You need to chose a doctor who monitors nutrition afterwards. Some WLS patients get lazy and don't take vitamins. simple as that..iron deficient? = didn't take iron supplements.

[smilingsarahjo]

For many people, having gastric bypass surgery doesnt have anything to do with fashion or what other people think. Being morbidly obese is hinderence on even routine daily activities. It is no way to live. Not to mention related problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, and knee problems. I just really think it unreasonable to suggest that people do this for purely vanity reasons.

[slmnsongbrd]

great video. I love the honesty in it. You are right, this way should never be called "the easy way out" cause it isn't we have to work hard in other ways to make up for the "fast weight loss". Thanks so much for sharing.

((hugs and prayers))

Rebecca

[Nicolio19]

You are right, there are a lot of psychological issues with being overweight your entire life, then losing the weight and dealing with life as a slim person. My mom had this surgery about 8 months ago and she had problems withe dehydration, but she gets like 70g of protien in a day now and is doing much better. I hope you start to feel better soon!!!! Thanks for sharing.

[fatgrlshrinking]

The things that you're talking about here have been a HUGE part of why I decided against the surgery. I am very supportive of those who decide that it's the right thing for them, but it's just not for me. I already take a multi-vitamin, calcium, an aspirin, ibuprofin, and glucosamine every day. That's enough. I used to have to take iron for anemia, but I finally have that under control for the first time in years. You do look great,though, and I hope that you can feel healthy as well.

[massagegoddess]

Never feel bad for speaking your truth. Honesty is important. Good video.

[ellesix]

Thanks for sharing this!

[CutieSoozy]

Glad to see you back. Hope you are feeling better.

[bratlee2u]

I appreciate your honesty. I hope you are able to stabilize your deficiencies and you are back to your bubbly self. Good luck, girl. We are here for you.

[itcomputerchick]

Love your honesty

Love your videos

Hugs,

melissa

=)

[jennifergettingbuff]

It's really awesome that you were able to share all of this! It's important for anyone to know what to expect, the good and the bad. Thanks for helping lots of people make an informed decision.

[honeybee9695]

Hi Laura!

Thanks for being so honest!!

Melissa

[youwantgeek]

Hey Laura, great video. It's good to see someone who's not just portraying the sunny side of weight loss. Because it's important to know that it's likely you'll be dealing with some pretty serious psychological issues. I hope you're feeling a little better when you read this and let me know if I can do anything or if you want to talk!  Take care.

[DeniseNJ37]

Everyone has those moments of regret i'm sure. I dont understand why you are not drinking enough and eating enough. Is it because you dont like drinking water or you feel guilty eating? What is the problem, you need to find that out. I am only four weeks out and feeling more energeting and hoping that does not go away. we get so many vitamins from the food we eat. I hope you eat right and Drink drink drink more!

[slcinoz]

Thanks for popping on and sharing this important side. I do know all these things (my program is a 8-10 month educational commitment and I have learned these things). Interestingly enough it's not enough for me to feel like I shouldn't have it done knowing that being overweight I could develop worse things (diabetes, etc..) and still have to do shots, supplements, pills etc.. Again, thank you..important stuff. Keep your chin up. I hate seeing you so down. Hugs, Shannon

[MakeupMakesMeeHappy]

You don't even know how important this video is. Not just that you have said these things have I changed my mind about the surgery..but it has only set in stone that I was right. I know everyone is different...but for me...this could have been BAD BAD news as I already have a TON of major health problems. Thank you so much, Laura! You are awesome! I finally have my new weight loss channel up. Jenniifer10..come by and check it out! You look great!

[shrinkinglaura]

I don't want to discourage anyone from getting surgery.. I just want to make people aware that they really need to do their research and talk with their doctor and make damn sure this is the right decision for them to be making.

[MakeupMakesMeeHappy]

Yeah, I understand. Like I said...I had already 99% decided it wasn't for me even before I saw your vid. Thanks again.

[sunfyre8]

Wow, your honesty amazing, and is really important. Hope you have a great week :0)